Saturday, May 28 2005 20:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: The body of internationally acclaimed film maker Ismail Merchant was today (May 28, 2005) laid to rest at Bada Kabarasthan in South Mumbai in the presence of his family members and friends from the Bollywood.

A small prayer was also held at the Kabarasthan mosque before the burial. The Bombay-born Merchant was buried near his mother's tomb as per his wish.

Merchant's close friend and associate Shashi Kapoor was among those who were present at the burial ground.

Earlier, Merchant's body was flown in from London by an Air-India cargo flight and kept at his brother's house at Mumbai Central for people to pay respects.

Film personalities Shabana Azmi and Shashi Kapoor were present at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus of Mumbai airport to receive the body.

Bollywood personalities Shyam Benegal, Shabana Azmi, Arif Zakaria, Simi Garewal, Neena Gupta, Nimmi, Shashi Kapoor and Rahul Bose paid their homage to the veteran producer-director at the family house in Mumbai Central. Mumbai's Joint Commissioner of Police Ahmed Javed was also present.

Several personalities from the Bollywood had condoled Merchant's death saying his demise was a great loss to the country and the film world.

Veteran actor Parikshit Sahni, who acted in Merchant's film "Muhafiz" told sources that "Merchant was a great director and a humble man. He was a true Indian and a dear friend".

Lyricist Javed Aktar said Merchant's death was untimely and came at a time when he was too full of life.

The 68-year-old veteran producer-director died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital at London on Wednesday (May 25, 2005) due to ulcer burst in the abdomen.